Author: William Morris
William Morris, the son of a successful businessman was born on 24th March, 1834.
Morris was educated at Marlborough and Exeter College, Oxford.
In 1857 Morris painted frescoes for the Oxford Union. He also began writing poetry.
Morris and his friends formed their own company of designers and decorators.
The company's designs brought about a complete revolution in public taste. Their commissions included the Red House in Upton, the Armoury and Tapestry Room in St. James's Palace and the Dining Room in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
In 1875 the partnership came to an end and Morris formed a new business called Morris & Company.
Despite the large number of commissions that he received, William Morris continued to find time to write poetry and prose.
In the 1870s Morris became upset by the aggressive foreign policy of the Conservative Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli and he also became disillusioned with Gladstone's Liberal Government that gained power after the 1880 General Election and by 1883 Morris had become a socialist.
Morris joined the Social Democratic Federation (SDF).
However, Morris was soon in dispute with the party leader. Morris shared SDF's Marxist beliefs, but objected to nationalism and the dictatorial methods.
In December, 1884, Morris left the SDF and formed the Socialist League.
Strongly influenced by the ideas of William Morris, the party published a manifesto where it advocated revolutionary international socialism.
Morris political views had been influenced by the anarchist theories of Peter Kropotkin.
Morris was also sympathetic to syndicalism of Tom Mann.
In July, 1887 Morris was arrested after a demonstration in London.
Four months later he participated in what became known as Bloody Sunday, when 3 people were killed and 200 injured during a public meeting in Trafalgar Square.
In 1891 William Morris became seriously ill with kidney disease.
William Morris died on 3rd October, 1896.
